The Real-Life Towns Behind Red Dead Redemption II

[@DetChesmond]

I've been saying since the original game that someone on the development team had to be inspired by my area (grew up one town over from Pittsburg, right on the edge of the Black Diamond Mines.) My house was a 5 minute walk from the historic Williamson Ranch, once owned by Bill Williamson, and a few streets down is the old run-down barn that remains of McFarlane Ranch. One of the main roads through town is Balfour, and I shit you not I went to high school with a kid named Ciaran Duffy (different spelling, but pronounced the same ) The shoutout to Pittspurg in this video just makes it weirder

[@filmsbyhen]

This is insane

[@KevinWhite-zb5os]

Well done! I would like to hear an explanation of the serpent mound, which last I checked there was one in Ohio, Michigan and maybe West Virginia (where all the good Ginseng is found)@@filmsbyhen

[@KevinWhite-zb5os]

THAT... is INSANE! I bet a dev lives out that way.

[@llamapinata4819]

Valentine is also in Nebraska so is all of heart lands 😊

[@DetChesmond]

@@filmsbyhen Forgot to mention, just outside of town, adjacent to Black Diamond, is also a regional preserve/historic ranching area that still looks untouched by time and has some run-down remnants of old farms and settlements. Looks exactly like the border region between West Elizabeth and New Austin. The name of that preserve? Morgan Territory, after an Anglo-American pioneer from the 1860's who founded Morgan Ranch and the Morgan Red Corral.

[@filmsbyhen]

Like for a part 2 covering Rhodes, Tumbleweed, Armadillo, Butcher Creek, colter, and Lagras!

[@thedevilseyez1978]

Just stumbled onto your channel… I salute you sir, new subscriber here 🫡

[@RandyJamesMix]

If you would, friend. Nerds like me love this

[@matthalpin1981]

@@RandyJamesMix Count me in, too. This was an awesome video and alerted me to many great locations that I need to visit if the chance arises.

[@michaeldebidart]

Dew it

[@grafzahl4698]

What´s with Wapiti Indian Reservation? :)

[@ibabcock89]

Fun fact: Originally in RDR2's development, Saint Denis was originally supposed to be named New Bordeaux. If that sounds familiar, that's became that was the name of Mafia 3's fictionalized version of New Orleans. So when Mafia 3 developers, Studio 13, contacted Rockstar to inform them that the name New Bordeaux was already taken, Rockstar agreed to change it to Saint Denis.

[@SpidaMez]

happy they did that, Saint Denis just sounds better tbh

[@rickytricky57]

​​@@SpidaMezSAWHN DENEEYH

[@0902_]

​@user-ze1nm8pw4fThat would mean that GTA V and GTA IV are also in the same universe as Mafia games and we don't have the same cities in GTA and Mafia games

[@Ward413]

I always just assumed they used New Bordeaux as a place holder name since both Hanger 13 and Rockstar are under the Take2 umbrella. Perhaps before they officially named the town but they obviously knew it was to be based on New Orleans, they simply used New Bordeaux before coming up with their own name. That’s the vibe I got. Is there a source or article that mentions this phone call between Hanger 13 and Rockstar and then requesting a change? With them both being Take2 I just always thought it was more plausible that it was an internal placeholder name oppose you both companies coming up with the same fictional name.

[@HappyGilmore.]

@@Ward413great point

[@aidenguzman3510]

This 10 minute video about a fictionalized United States is more informative than my hour long US history class

[@aSchizophrenicwithagun]

Wouldnt it so much easier to teach kids with video game logic and phrases.

[@filmsbyhen]

@@aSchizophrenicwithagunminecraft: education edition!

[@Reddeaddimesion]

@@filmsbyhen They don’t use that anyway though

[@jamiewalsh9184]

Maybe just listen in the history class and youll find it interesting 😂

[@Reddeaddimesion]

Your right I’m just sayin

[@cadence4527]

This is what I love about RDR2. There are so many historical references to both period history as well as more recent events that many can often fly over a person’s head and go completely unnoticed. History nerds can go absolutely crazy with this game, nerding out at the smallest of references. Some in-game mysteries can be solved by simply looking at real life history.

[@ballsballsballs3617]

Rockstar genuinely cares about the games they put out. Same reason y I have never felt like they need to rush gta6, cuz those mfs r in the middle of making the most ground breaking video game ever made

[@omar.Lo714]

That’s ROCKSTAR for ya!

[@matthalpin1981]

One year I took the family on a road trip through Colorado and we visited Old Bent's Fort. I was stunned at how it looked EXACTLY like Fort Mercer from the original Red Dead Redemption. My kids were amazed at how I could guess what was waiting in each room of the fort before we even entered those rooms.

[@onlygas-420]

Damn that's actually amazing

[@ChingChangWallah.]

Excellent. I'm sure you play the same game with new covers of old songs.

[@matthalpin1981]

@@ChingChangWallah. LOL That's a great idea. I should do that!

[@SoSS_Operator]

that's dope man, rockstar if anything you can give them credit for really nails their environments down

[@no.7893]

@@SoSS_Operator I'd argue it's the best part of all of their games

[@voldlifilm]

I think Red Dead 2 is a perfect example of justifying a small open world by making it extremely detailed and deep. On the scale of states, towns and cities in real life the game map is ridiculously tiny, but in terms of being a playspace full of content and things to explore it works perfectly.

[@leozeraA1000]

Small open world? It's literally twice the size of GTA V map bro.

[@voldlifilm]

@@leozeraA1000 Yes, and that's tiny as well. Think about how big a state really is, how many towns and cities it has. Compared to that its extremely tiny. Most game worlds are ridiculously small.

[@smh3920]

@leozeraA100 gta 5s map is bigger, u just have cars to fly by everything way faster

[@yamahaguy1732]

@@smh3920it’s not tho

[@Violeto777]

rdr2 has one of the biggest open world maps ever

[@danielsatter1805]

Saint Denis blew me away when I first arrived. I've always had romanticized New Orleans from that time period due to films like Interview with the Vampire and when I first arrived in Saint Denis in game it was night time. It was so unlike any other place in the game and was one of the moments where I fell in love with the game some more.

[@ericmallory5284]

I Know Right ,St.Denis & Lagras ,Definitely “New Orleans”💯💪🏾👑❤️🔥

[@MrThedoors28]

I love going there and just walking around in first person at night because the way rockstar did the lighting and the npcs. Going to the saloon is awesome. The only game where I play cards. The cemetery is incredible as well. Then there’s the vampire.

[@ericmallory5284]

@@MrThedoors28 I Just Finished Mission Helping Native American “Eagle “,Getting The Paperwork from the Refinery this Morning

[@ericmallory5284]

@@MrThedoors28 Dis You Confiscate The Horse at Night Time

[@KlowIsHere]

​​@@ericmallory5284Why do you capitalize every first letter? I want to know why people do this.

[@quinnobi]

Valentine certainly takes inspiration from Ogallala and Valentine, Nebraska. Ogallala is very similar to Cheyenne in terms of function but smaller and was the most dangerous town in NE in the late 1800s. Valentine NE is nestled along the Niobrara River and South Dakota (where there was a large population of Sioux) so the scenery is similar as well as its name. It was a town that didn’t really get its feet under it until 1884 which also coincides with the games timeline as we see Valentine is well established in 1899 and still growing.

[@quinnobi]

And because I accidentally edited it out - great video!

[@calvinjluther]

Ugh. Ogallala. I hate that town.

[@jewelsverne9027]

There is also a Valentine, Texas. Its name refers to the date of its founding in 1882 by a Southern Pacific Railroad construction crew: February 14

[@sonnipetersen1708]

Thanks for sharing your information, very informative :)

[@Rootiga]

the "great plains" and area near valentine 100% correlate to nebraska. Ive been to cheyenne and it looks just like blackwater which is clearly supposed to be denver

[@JAWS]

Love the video, been waiting on something like this for a while. One other thing to add to Strawberry and its location is Mt Shan being inspired by Mt Shasta in California. The real Strawberry is not near Shasta, but Shasta does have quite a few resort towns around it. A lot of mysteries in RDR2 can be found on or around Mt Shan, whereas the real life Shasta is the American capital of missing 411 cases, paranormal sightings, and so on. Just another cool set of detail that makes me love this game.

[@Farumazula762]

using the django ost is literally perfection

[@Laura-ej1ft]

I was looking for this comment 😁👌

[@Jennifer-jt9cb]

I know we have Blackwater, Rhodes, and Valentine here in Missouri, but I never would have thought it could have been any inspiration for a town in the game. I've been to Blackwater tons of times, but aside from the name, I never really noticed any similarities. I feel honored that there's a possibility of us being an inspiration.

[@Jennifer-jt9cb]

@@realmistermischief Very true. But considering their proximity to each other, I just thought it would be interesting to bring up.

[@SeriousDragonify]

​​​@@realmistermischiefCan't be California territory. New Austin is based on Texas and Mexico together and north of NA (which probably would be in 3rd game) is either Arizona or Colorado. Some parts of the map makes no sense in RDR world. The big rocks at Valentine (on the way to Oil Field Company) is inspiration of location in Midwest. Like i said, some parts of the map don't add up. And Arthur mentioned being near Canada border with Uncle conversation while going with stealing the cattle and other was with Javier about the coach robbing in Nevada during fishing. I think.

[@Yehhbb]

​@@realmistermischiefyour wrong I have a peach tree an not in gaygeria

[@Rootiga]

blackwater is 100% based on denver... literally anyone who has ever lived or been to colorado knows this the city and environment are identical to the great plains and denver

[@Yehhbb]

@@realmistermischief Texas sounds more right than cOlOrAdo

[@andrewlowden322]

Lannaahechee is pronounced "Lan uh HAH See". When you go fishing with Javier in Ch3 Javier pronounces the CH and Arthur corrects him, noting even though its spelled with a CH, it is the S sound. Funny because he had just gone off on the German guy he rescued ("how did someone come up with them words???") and now he's an etymologist extraordinaire!

[@musicaleuphoria8699]

There are so many names of places in the US that are never pronounced how their spelt, either from other languages influences or just misconceptions. Makes it humorous to see that play out.

[@ClaytonTheCracker]

Not only that, but they just entered the region lmfao 🤣

[@Smokeyjoedamanedamythdalegend]

I like just hanging out in the towns wandering around. I did it this morning and the game was already set to morning. I was walking around in first person watching all the town folks yawning and waking up too. The realism is amazing

[@straitouttatexas.]

Never thought so much solid, detailed information could be packed into an almost 11-minute video!! Absolutely incredible job, sir. You have my respect for the research, presentation, and format haha. Watched it the whole way through and my attention was never lost! Even the historical pictures that you offered for comparison were phenomenal. Take it easy after that! 🤝

[@kurunzi8614]

I’ve played RDR2 three times now, and too this day its still one of my favorite games. While watching this video I could still remember the feeling I had when I came across some of these towns. Specifically Strawberry and St. Denis, in both cases I came across them early on while exploring the map in chapter 2. I was immediately enamored by Strawberry while in St. Denis I felt like completely uncomfortable and I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. For me that shows how amazing the world building and immersion this game provides. By the way you forgot to mention the “red dust bowl” of Rhodes 😅. Great vídeo 👍🏼

[@Walterblack278]

I live in the actual town of strawberry

[@alexspata]

Man, when I visited Strawberry for the first time in game, it was dawn, evening...I would never forget those lights throughout the village and the sounds of the cascade, it felt too real, like I was in a resort, it blew my mind and it will stick with me forever...

[@yamahaguy1732]

I’m on my third playthrough and man it just doesn’t get old such a lively world and absolutely love the time period!

[@yamahaguy1732]

@@alexspataI can sit in strawberry for hours

[@alexspata]

@@yamahaguy1732 you can install graphics mods to make it even better

[@chubbschubbs2x]

Annesburg may be based off a Cali mining town but I live over here in coal country PA (Appalachian mountain range) and the similarities between that region of the map and my region irl back during that time is 150% spot on based off of all the photos I’ve seen and stories I’ve heard over the years, my point is I’m still gonna claim Annesburg as a representation of Appalachian PA/WV, plus it’s on the east side of the map lol 👍🏼

[@coachacola3755]

Roanoke Ridge are the ozarks

[@chubbschubbs2x]

@@coachacola3755 the Ozarks seem way too southern/centered in the US for Roanoke ridge to be based off of them, like how the Appalachians stretch up the Northeast corridor of the US, Roanoke Ridge does the same in rdr2

[@easymac24]

I'm live a few towns from Pittsburgh CA, and I've always racked my brain trying to see similarities.

[@coachacola3755]

@@chubbschubbs2x the Lanahasse river is the Mississippi

[@Rokume]

As a fellow Pennsylvanian living near a old coal town (we have alot of them lmao) I always called Annesburg the PA town in red dead cuz of how similar it is to out here. Just gives off those vibes

[@sanjizorroux]

The music in the background is perfect with the story telling and pictures of the game. As a French, very happy to find your channel and understand easily. That’s a big congratulations and thank you, great work !

[@armelvillard7905]

need the title brother plz

[@gewfhrefnjkr3724]

Would like to take the time to say your writing is excellent. Informative, concise, interesting and seamless links between one town and the next. Great video

[@kiwi22ism]

Meat riding fr

[@orionsarrow1025]

I grew up in California and West Elizabeth is where I go when I’m feeling nostalgic. The northern part of the map reminds me of Mariposa County, and down towards Strawberry it reminds me of Lake Tahoe area. (I’ve actually passed through Strawberry, CA once on the way to go snowshoeing at Donner Lake) Tall Trees is so *obviously* a parallel to Big Trees, CA where they have a lot of gigantic Sequoias. And While it’s easy to compare the Great Plains in the game to the irl counterpart, it reminds me so much of the hills in the California Valley, you might see in Kings County up to El Dorado County. California is too crazy to live in these days but my goodness to I miss how darn beautiful the nature is in that state

[@hi90s]

@@orionsarrow1025 Lived here my whole life. Actually grew up few minutes outside Strawberry, now i’m in the CV. A lot of the map is really close to home in a great way…. The area around blackwater I think is also relevant to california geography. Plenty of dry dead fields out here lol

[@vennomation]

i'm so excited for this one, just looking through the video i think another inspiration for blackwater could be galveston, texas, which i've been to and looks a decent amount like it (it's also a low-elevation port city). the part that looks like blackwater is called "the strand", and many of the areas there and around there also look like st denis/new orleans

[@Angel-Otk]

Let’s all move to Strawberry and act like cowboys 🤠

[@BongoBaggins]

God I love Strawberry so much

[@randomguyonyoutube4701]

and lets not save micah after watching chapter 6 🤠

[@alyssa0411]

I was visiting a lake in California in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It’s called “Upper Salmon Lake” and located off of Gold Lake Highway, about 45 miles +- NW of Truckee. That lake, with the granite boulders, pine trees and even a small island reminded me so much of O’Creagh’s Run. Obviously the lake is way too small and unknown to make it over to someone over at R* but the scenery at O’Creagh’s is very similar to what you see around Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountain range.

[@kennypowers1945]

Who knows they coulda found that very lake and thought to put something similar in game.

[@703-f4u]

As someone who lives in the East Bay of California, I wouldn’t have ever thought or guessed that one of the towns next to me could have possibly inspired a town from this amazing game! Makes me love it even more! Great video👏

[@jewishspacelaseroperator5410]

Since 2015, Strawberry, California’s population has dropped to just 5 people.

[@MrJack1992]

Actually it makes sense everything in red dead redemption 2 is west of the Mississippi even the Appalachia part of the map is still based on the Ozark mountain region in Missouri, and Arkansas which is heavily wooded, mountainous, and has cave systems.

[@bajaliquid653]

I was going to say, I didn’t think it was Appalachia more the ozarks, I’m glad someone else thought the same

[@the_cowpoke]

That was a great video man, Keep up the great work. I love red dead 2 so much for it's story and world building, it's one of the most immersive gaming experiences one can have.

[@jordanrose1765]

Valentine also took a lot of inspiration from Deadwood. The muddy ground and sheep trading being a large part of that. Theres also a burned down town near vslentine which is also a regerence to deadwood, which got its name from the countless times tbe town was burned down and rebuilt nearby

[@Tiredofdawgz]

Well done on the production of this. Really loved all the photos you compiled.

[@BathSaltShaman]

I think I read that New Hanover wasn’t based on Appalachia but actually the Missouri Ozarks. It makes more sense imho because it makes the Lannachee plausible, but mostly because Appalachia wasn’t part of the Wild West at all, as it’s on the complete polar opposite end of the country.

[@joeldaniels-akacringeevery7650]

same i thought the same

[@lol-un6nl]

lousiana and Appalachia being the polar opposites of the wild west is kinda the point of the story

[@BathSaltShaman]

@@lol-un6nl I mean yeah, they were heading east but West Virginia/Kentucky is a WAY, way bigger trek from where they were than Louisiana was. Considering the fact too that Appalachia was long populated/modernized with strong law by this point, unlike NH. The Ozarks were still like this then, add in the fact NH is on the same side of the “Mississippi river” as Lemoyne and sits directly north of it the same as Missouri sits over Louisiana, why I’m leaning towards that.

[@hlhumbert8481]

Appalachia was the original wild West. Our history is just as gnarly as what you hear about on the frontier when it comes to coal and oil barons, mining towns, crime and unlawfulness. Plus, we get a ridiculous amount of rain (which is always falling in chapter 6 of RDR2).

[@patrickscully4786]

The gang life, Jesse James crew, was based in the Midwest. Which makes sense that Dutch was moving from the prairies of Missouri/Kansas, down to New Orleans over to the rockies

[@telesiak2484]

its incredible how tough life must have been compared to now. Be thankful people for what you got, worst thing that can happen is you getting evaporated by a nuke

[@WavePotter]

Dang it.. I shouldn’t have watched this while I’m still in chapter 3. RIP Kieran.

[@glennhiscock478]

What a truly fantastic piece this is! Educational, nostalgic and straight to the point.

[@rustyforceps1012]

Fantastic video!! A testament to both yours and Rockstar’s respective productions is that I had a relatively hard time telling the difference between the historical reference photos you showed, and the shots from the game! Well researched!! Thank You!!

[@conductormike3step]

How does this guy not have more subscribers? Excellent video!

[@antonmajuri1144]

I'm from Finland and american history is not a part of our history curriculum, so I appreciate you making such entertaining content about the history of the US.

[@austinmiller6452]

Great video! Can you do one for Rhodes, Tumbleweed, and Armadillo?

[@86canario95]

Tumbleweed = Bodie. Rhodes = Baton Rouge and Rhodes (iowa) Armadillo = Amarillo and Tres cruces.

[@billyshears2032]

always assumed tumbleweed was tombstone

[@billyshears2032]

you know since both are compound words that begin with t

[@sssaeedssahz.1434]

Tumbleweed=tombstone AZ Rhodes=some where in georgia ​@@86canario95

[@josephgonzo]

Half the video i couldn't even pay attention because i was listening to the background music, nice choice with good the bad and the ugly. Respect 👍

[@hellomimibanana]

Really appreciate the work that went into this video. Lots of researching. Thank you for bringing it to us!

[@MistressMediSin]

Oh man, this was so good and well done that I was bummed that it ended. As a history nerd who loves this game more than any other, I thank you!

[@tommypizzo1677]

Lemoyne is a combination of Louisiana and South Carolina. And Saint Denis is a combo of New Orleans and Charleston. There are numerous examples of things that are not New Orleans at all. An obvious one is the Carolina Parakeet that only existed in the SC lowcountry outside of Charleston.

[@Guyote_]

St. Denis is very much New Orleans. I was born there, and some of the streets are identical to the city. It was a weird feeling.

[@VL1975]

@@Guyote_ Ya...I see more New Orleans than Charleston.

[@LiamYankee]

Carolina parakeets made it all the way to the Great Plains.

[@tommypizzo1677]

@LiamYankee But during the time period of rdr2 they had an extremely limited range and only existed around Charleston

[@Guyote_]

@@tommypizzo1677 the river and swamps are 100% supposed to be New Orleans and the Mississippi River and surrounding area.

[@alexspata]

man this video was brilliant, quality content, documented, interesting and straight to subject, I love it

[@ianashby3626]

Love red dead redemption 2

[@comradejet9373]

That's it, reinstalling RDR2 to just walk around for another 20 hours. Thank you.

[@_ripVanWinkle_]

same lmao

[@THEKARABOON]

Thank you very much for making this video, I can only imagine how much hard work you put in to this. Folks like you are true KZbinrs

[@cowboy4hire]

4:22 Roanoke Ridge is based on the Ozark Range

[@Blackwolffe097]

I live in a small boom town Colorado My town was known as the Silver Queen of the Rockys & we even have a dog for a Mayor!! I love Red Dead Redemption & my town along with other nearby towns like Silver Plum reminds of Strawberry, Blackwater & Valentine

[@Rusthebus44]

I agree that blackwater could be based if Missouri but I think it takes inspiration from old Sacramento California. It has a similar layout and architecture. You should check it out. The surrounding regions also match the Great Plains and tall trees further south. Big valley is also similar to Yosemite valley. I just think most of the west Elizabeth is based on parts of California.

[@easymac24]

It would be really weird to have a wild West game not featuring Missouri, Jesse James and all. I think a lot of these cities in game are probably built with inspiration from multiple rl locations. Cause I agree that the in game location of blackwater doesn't make sense if it's based on Missouri.

[@TheSikadelik]

That video was amazing! You deserve so much more views and subscribers bro!

[@humanbeing4321]

Can’t believe it got so popular they rebuilt replicas in real life.

[@WebOfTwilight]

Very informative, my friend! I really enjoy videos like this.

[@novaproductions853]

Genuinely one of the best games ever.

[@toadwine7654]

it was a interactive movie. and a dire warning about how videogames will evolve.

[@dutchman063]

Not one of... it IS the best videogame ever

[@addi0922]

I will never, ever forgive you for spoiling Kieran’s decapitation so nonchalantly. No warning or anything. You sir, have committed a cardinal sin.

[@filmsbyhen]

K

[@johnjesus02]

​@@filmsbyhen such a cunty thing to do

[@MarcusZepeda]

I really enjoyed your video. Rdr2 is the reason why I got into history and it's why I want to become a historian. But blackwater always reminded me of Galveston Texas, of how the architecture is they are both beach Town's

[@therandom.cowboy5526]

Valentine is probably based on Valentine, nebraska, the area surrounding resembles the heartlands and it was also a cattle town, maybe. Not sure. Some correction on the geography you mentioned in the beginning, new austin has nothing to do with texas at all, it’s mostly based on the Sonoran desert. This cactus that you see all over cholla springs 🌵 is called saguaro and it’s native to Arizona. Gaptooth ridge is based on far south east California bordering Arizona, Joshua tree National park. And Hennigan’s stead resembles the plains of New Mexico. Roanoke ridge, is a bit confusing. Since the game takes place west of the fictionalized version of the lannahachee its probably based on the ozarks and oucahita forest area in north western Arkansas and south western Missouri respectively. But given the heavy coal industry and in the wild man’s (the wolf guy who leads a pack) journal he says that he’s still in North Carolina/virgina… which would put Roanoke in Appalachia, soo I don’t know.

[@beaucaspar3990]

I disagree. Valentine was probably based on Chayanne, Wyoming. The terrain around Valentine is much more reminiscent to Wyoming than Nebraska. I watched a video of someone go to locations in Red Dead Redemption 2 in real life and at one point he visited Wyoming and it looked exactly like the area surrounding Valentine. Also you can see the rocky mountains from the town. It is unlikely you would see mountains anywhere in Nebraska as the state is famously very flat. Chayanne is close to the border with Colorado; relatively close to the Rockies. New Austin is supposed to look like multiple states. Hennigan's Stead is probably supposed to be central Texas, famous for it's ranches and homesteads. Cholla Springs is a region dominated by the enormous Chihuahuan Desert; found in Western Texas. The largest town in the region Armadillo (the town you spend most of your time in the original Red Dead Redemption) is based off the town Amarillo in Texas. Roanoke Ridge is very likely based off the Appalachia region (Eastern Kentucky, West Virginia, South West Virginia etc.) Annesburg the main town in the region was founded by German settlers, just like many areas of Appalachia were in real life. Annesburg is a massive coal mining town. Appalachia is famous for being rich in black gold, coal is what fuelled the development of the west and that's what made the region wealthy until closing of the mines. The truth is many of the places in game are inspired by many different places in the USA. It's not meant to be absolute. Like the Big Valley for example is likely based on the basin of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado; but it could very well of been inspired by area around Northern California, especially considering there is a town in Northern California called Strawberry that shares a history similar to the town in game

[@jwj8201]

The whole arguement is stupid. Borders only matter to humans. That point prefaced the entire video. Most of Nebraska looks exactly like just East of Valentine. Flat Nebraska is a myth confounded by the people who have only driven through the part that is easiest to build roads through, I80 along the Platte River leading into the flat half of Colorado. Half of Colorado is flat/gradual incline by the way, Denver being the "mile high city" is still completely in the plains. NW Nebraska is more prominent in elevation than large parts of Wyoming, looking like the Cumberland Forest. Compressing a map tends to give that effect too. Can you see New Orleans from a mountain top in Colorado? Telling somebody they are wrong in context like this is pointless.@@beaucaspar3990

[@sikes3791]

I agree with you. I live in the area and can definitely say that valentine Nebraska geography wise is much more similar to Wyoming or western South Dakota. So i think its based off the real town in NE. That's just my take tho, not something I'm passionate enough to argue about 😂

[@doctorsquatch7665]

Love your content dude, so laid back and down-to-earth.

[@Oatmeal2six]

I would parallel Tumbleweed with Tombstone AZ and the strict sheriff loosely based on Wyatt Earp. Also Strawberry might be based on Deadwood SD.

[@filmsbyhen]

I think the Sherriff is Bass Reeves. But I agree tumbleweed is tombstone because of the mining parallels and landscape

[@LibbyRose12]

Strawberry is a mining town in Ca which I think is where RD got the inspiration. And tall trees is from Big trees which is in Calavaras big trees state park which is near Strawberry, Ca known for their giant Sequoia trees

[@Oatmeal2six]

@@LibbyRose12 I doubt they would base them both on California towns honestly. Geographically they want diversity hence South Dakota and Arizona.

[@Oatmeal2six]

@@LibbyRose12 deadwood is a mining town also.

[@MarcusZepeda]

Blackwater has always reminded me of Galveston Texas the strand, and Smithville Texas. both with the Victorian and Edwardian architecture. Very beautiful

[@Mrchungus11C-OIR]

Natchez always had a pretty good tourism industry due to all the preserved antebellum mansions. That’s only because the city surrendered during the civil war.

[@filmsbyhen]

Yeah that’s the nice part of Natchez, van horn is only under the hill

[@Mrchungus11C-OIR]

@@filmsbyhen for sure but I still appreciated the reference regardless. Natchez is one of my favorite places to visit in this state.

[@igobythisname]

Greetings from Pittsburg, CA..!! Wholly cRap! Was not expecting to see or hear my city mentioned in this video 😮!!!!

[@coachacola3755]

The Lanahasse River IS the Mississippi, Roanoke Ridge are the Ozarks, not the Appalachian Mountains.

[@devin7tm]

I like that you added music from Django. It’s a nice touch.

[@x8jason8x]

Great video! Though I will disagree on Strawberry... I believe it's based on Strawberry, AZ. It's one of the old gateways to the Grand Canyon, surrounded by peaks, and used to be a main tourist destination in the 19th century after being established as a gold mining town. Strawberry, CA is in meadow laden foothills... closer to terrain like Great Plains ingame. There's some trees around but they drop off quickly below the 5k altitude line.

[@sheaanne]

Strawberry, California actually looks a lot like what we see in game; lots of trees and woodland scenery. It’s nice to see a harkening of the in-game Strawberry to the picturesque old time-y vacation towns of the Sierra Nevada. Whenever I’ve seen other ‘RDR2 place inspiration’ themed videos they don’t mention the California resort towns that remind me so much of the Strawberry in RDR2.

[@x8jason8x]

@@sheaanne It really doesn't, not nearly as much as Coconino national forest does. Having been both places many times, I can attest. Not to say you're wrong about the towns up there in notherrn CA, plenty of little places like that up there. To explain a bit, we are led ingame to believe that the town is recently established. Most little towns up there in the Sierra Nevadas were established during the 1850's. Strawberry, AZ on the other hand was only first settled in 1875, and established in 1885... still under 1k people there to this day. It _really_ is almost 1:1 with the game, stat for stat.

[@sheaanne]

@@x8jason8x I have been around the hills and mountains in Northern California my whole life; but never ventured to that foothill/mountain region of Arizona myself (which I have heard can resemble the foothill/mountains in California). I have been to the Goldfield Ghost town near the Superstitious Mountains in AZ, (though I believe that Goldfield is a replica town); it reminds me a lot of game New Austin’s Tumbleweed. But, Yes- you’re right; many of the California towns were established mid 19th century (gold); and true that the in-game Strawberry is being established. I’ll have to try to make it to that area in Arizona at some time… I’ve also heard a lot of people mention that Strawberry resembles places in Colorado (but I haven’t been to the frontier towns of Colorado myself, either). I think that’s what is beautiful about the game - it’s everywhere and nowhere at the same time. The in-game towns and cities encompass real life places in America, capturing the similar elements between both the game and those places; and the similarities between those places, too. It’s such a well done game.

[@brooksdawson96]

Still learning of RDR2. Rockstar is incredible. Great work Henry

[@gage1325]

Love the Djangoi Unchained soundtrack

[@Raydar629]

Looked for this comment! Lol

[@electrophonics1]

Was not expecting my city to be mentioned. I was just looking through a catalog of old pictures from Cheyenne and I absolutely agree.

[@pennsy6755]

I’d always like to picture Annesburg as more of a southwestern Pennsylvania town than Pittsburg California in my opinion. We had tons of coke boom towns and I’d honestly say that Annesburg strikingly reminds me of Youngwood, Pennsylvania. Both had a heavy need for the coal/coke industry, were located on a relatively busy rail line (For example, Youngwood was/is still right along my beloved home railroad PRR’s secondary line going south to Connellsville then further into Uniontown, both similar boom town in the area relying on coke/coal), and the mine in game is similar if not close to real life inspirations along the Sewickly branch that started in Youngwood before it was all abandoned overtime… granted there wasn’t a coal mine centered in the town but as mentioned before, it _was_ common in the area, so it’s not far off.

[@darknid158]

So you mean Pittsburgh, PA ? 😂

[@ingramhodges]

seeing some of the real life photos in this vid after playing the game, and it literally looking like a 1 to 1 recreation is quite shocking and so cool

[@superpumpkin1065]

Missed a few towns: Rhodes, Armadillo and tumbleweed

[@filmsbyhen]

Yeah I didn’t forget them they’re just not in the video 😭

[@maxgilson5910]

I love your videos so much But almost every time It just really makes me want to play rdr2. I love how different your style and types of videos are from usual red dead content :)

[@KotalTotal]

I always thought the map for rdr2 was based on all of Texas and Louisiana and northeastern Mexico, and maybe Colorado. So I also thought that Blackwater was based on Houston because of it's location and it's port and distance from St. Denis

[@soulassassin5844]

I thought the same or mixed with Austin with the capitol building.But more Houston

[@cjrstudios4100]

It probably does take some influence from the 3rd coast tbh

[@sssaeedssahz.1434]

No blackwater.inspired small town with same name in missouri

[@TimberlinesWY]

Not many know this, but Valentine is definitely more similar to Valentine, Nebraska. A booming livestock town back in the day, it's location within the map and it's "look and feel" is more reminiscent of Rockstars Valentine than Cheyenne is. On top of all of that, Valentine, NE is located in what is known as the Heartland.... And I mean... The name is the same. This is coming from a guy who has grown up in Nebraska, Wyoming, and South Dakota, so I'm pretty familiar. 🍻 Still a cool video.

[@TimberlinesWY]

Also fun fact, I haven't watched far enough yet, but Rockstars "Colter" mimics the real Colter, Wyoming.

[@LukeProd18]

This is what they should be teaching in history class

[@Penssteel1]

As an “older guy” really enjoyed your video and I love playing this game. Pittsburgh does have an H at the end of it, thanks very much for the video.

[@Penssteel1]

I watched the video w/ sound and thought it was Pittsburgh Pa. A former coal and steel town.

[@AGoodJoe]

Van Horn is for lovers.

[@Nativityin6lack]

Very well done! I was saddened when the video ended lol, I could have watched for hours.

[@beaucaspar3990]

I agree that Valentine was probably based on Chayanne, Wyoming. The terrain around Valentine is much more reminiscent to Wyoming than Nebraska (there is a small town in Nebraska called "Valentine"). I watched a video of someone go to locations in Red Dead Redemption 2 in real life and at one point he visited Wyoming and it looked exactly like the area surrounding Valentine. Also you can see the rocky mountains from the town. It is unlikely you would see mountains anywhere in Nebraska as the state is famously very flat. Chayanne is close to the border with Colorado; relatively close to the Rockies. New Austin is supposed to look like multiple states. Hennigan's Stead is probably supposed to be central Texas, famous for it's ranches and homesteads. Cholla Springs is a region dominated by the enormous Chihuahuan Desert; found in Western Texas. The largest town in the region Armadillo (the town you spend most of your time in the original Red Dead Redemption) is based off the town Amarillo in Texas. I agree that Roanoke Ridge is very likely based off the Appalachia region (Eastern Kentucky, West Virginia, South West Virginia etc.) Annesburg the main town in the region was founded by German settlers, just like many areas of Appalachia were in real life. Annesburg is a massive coal mining town. Appalachia is famous for being rich in black gold, coal is what fuelled the development of the west and that's what made the region wealthy until closing of the mines

[@rymacreeks2k07]

to be fair, if you look at nearby torrington on street view it's almost a dead ringer for what a modern valentine would look like

[@easymac24]

I used to drive through Strawberry CA on my way to go skiing! Its basically just a old rail station with a few general stores. I always thought thought theres no way that tiny place is the same strawberry

[@Absent641]

So he really skipped armadillo

[@mrstwistedwrench2697]

He sure as hell did.

[@Low-tier-jack-marston6482]

Its coming in pt 2

[@_kilm_]

Appreciate the Django theme music in the background 🔥

[@Steve.From_Saturn1]

what about armadilo and tumbleweed

[@GadeOK_]

And rhodes

[@Oatmeal2six]

I’d say tumbleweed would be based on tombstone az and strawberry based on deadwood sd.

[@kinantantjiptawirawan1326]

Strawberry is more like Denver Colorado

[@gavynhohon2818]

Tumbleweed is based on Tombstone, Arizona, and Armadillo is based on Amarillo, Texas in the 1890s.

[@allisvanity445]

This is so cool, I always wondered this and now I'm looking forward to part two to see the other ones

[@VictorBosich]

This video is incredible! Congrats for all the research and thank you for sharing this! Amazing!

[@stonecoldstunner12]

I appreciate you researching all of this amazing information!

[@jasonfonseca8775]

Loving the payback from django at the end as well as throughout the video💪🏻💪🏻

[@hlhumbert8481]

FYI, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania had the first commercial coal mine in the USA. We also had a booming oil industry on top of coal production (Oil City, Titusville, Franklin).

[@junicohen7918]

Made great knives too

[@MrThedoors28]

The first commercial coal mine was actually near Richmond Virginia. Midlothian Virginia was the first coal mine

[@hoohoosier]

Nice touch with the Two Mules for Sister Sara soundtrack in the background.

[@mooqer]

saint Denis lawmen when you throw a can of sweetcorn in front of them: 🏃‍♂🏃‍♂🏃‍♂🏃‍♂💥💥💥💥💥💥🔫🔫🔫🔫🔫🔫

[@HanSolo_1984]

Strawberry’s real city is Deadwood in South Dakota

[@Pseudopilot]

Great work on this video!! So much Information. Thanks!!

[@LLIBDABEAR]

I absolutely subbed (and liked) to your channel. You do a fantastic job storytelling and describing things. Good luck in college, and please keep up the rdr2 tidbits I am loving it ❤😂

[@hemigts426]

I always thought Valentine was based off if Valentine, NE. It has a similar layout and there's a bridge southeast of town called Niobrara River Bridge on Cowboy Trail that looks like it could have inspired the bridge by Flatneck.

[@halfgeek1394]

I'll make the argument that the world of RDR2 IS the "Lemoyne Purchase" you mentioned at 9:55. New Austin was obtained later, with a war against Mexico.

[@anthonybelyea1964]

One of my favorite games ever and I'm also a history buff. I am old for gamer cuz I'm 60 still have my PlayStation 1 2 3 and 4 thanks for your effort it was much appreciated👍🏼😎🇨🇦

[@micktorrans8123]

Didnt realise how much I needed this video

[@nobodyjustacreep]

One cool thing about Valentine tho is the rock hills outside town is supposed to be Scott's bluff in Nebraska. And in NE we have a town called Valentine

[@robotinmyspace7656]

Strawberry kind off reminds me of Deadwood, S.D, and other areas in the black hills.

[@Silentdragon2012]

Look bro. I stumbled upon your channel randomly and have watched a ton of videos. I even reinstalled rdr2 and rdr to replay them both. Thank you. Edit: you also earned a sub. Forgot to add that.

[@mustang6603]

Love the Two Mules For Sister Sarah music in the background

[@StolenAlias]

I must say, these videos are very high quality. Well researched, perfectly spoken, throughly informative, and entertaining. The only thing I can nitpick on is the loop of the different soundtracks from the game, Django, and the dollars films. Just a bit distracting. Other than that 10/10.

[@EpicHashTime]

Outllaw gangs robbing stagecoaches and trains was actually still pretty common all the way up until about nineteen ninety eight when the undertaker threw mankind off hell in a cell and plummeted sixteen feet through an announcer's table.